Wichita eagle., 1887-11-23
WEST POINT DRILL.
THE CADET AT HIS BEST IN
MOUNTED SERVICE EXERCISES.

The Bugle BIares the Signal ''Can-
noneers mountaineering Up to the
Work-A Belch of Flame and Thunder
CIoud-Another Signal.
Sharp at the stroke of the classes are
again in ranks, and the hour of battery drill
has come. The "plebes" march stiffly out to
the field guns south of camp; the yearlings
wheeling into column Of sections, swing
Jauntily off under their detail of first class
officers TO where the battery horses have
already been hitched to the limbers and
caiSsons out on the cavalry plain, and that
portion Of the senior class not required as
chiefs of platoon or section at the field bat
teries is already springing down the winding
path to the "sea coast" battery at the waters
edge, and presently you will hear a thunder
OF great guns that will stun all Orange
county-or would, but fer the barriers Of the
massive hills that shut us in on every side.
The liveliest spectacle, however, is here on
the plain, for Of all the drills and exercises in
which the cadet excels he is at his best in
those of the mounted service Daring horse
men are the youngsters after two years
practice i'll the riding hall, and light battery
NA 40 ID q iohOuo 'ifICc 1OI cAt&iO!IiOll-
OFF TO THEIR POSTS.
Watch the boys as they go to their stations.
The Seniors in their riding dress, gauntlets
and cavalry sabers, swing easily into the sad
dies of the somewhat vicious looking steedS
that are held in readiness for them, adjust
their stirrups, take preliminary and surrep-
titious dig with their spurred heels to test the
mettle OF their nags, then clatter eff to their
posts to look over tho horses and drivers of
their detachments. The yearlings in their
natty shell jackets stand ready at the guns;
the bu3le blares the signal 'cannoneers
mount" and, like so many agile monkeys,
trey spring 20 their seats on the ammunition
chests, and with another busle blast, and
rumble Of hoof and wheel and Clink Of trun-
Mon, away goes the battery down the gray
ely plain.
Ihero are few preliminary moves to warm
them I'D to their work; the battery comman-
der, young artillery officer who knows his
trade, swings them to and fro faster and
faster, from one formation to other-column,
line and battery-and then, as though or
dered TO check the advance Of an enemy
swarming up the heights and give him can
mister at short range, with cracking whips
and plungins steeds and rattle and roar of
hoof and wheel ard hoarse thrcated com
mands and stirring busie peals. up the plain
they come at tearing gallep until opposite the
crowd of spectators at the guard tents, when
there is short, sudden blast, q simultaneous
shout from the 'chiefs," vision of rearing
horses as the lieutenautS and sargeants hale
short on line with the brilliant guidon-sen-
orally the most picturesque horserlan of the
warhke thronS, and always posted on the
flank nearest the ladies-a flash of sabers in
the air. a sudden rein I'M OF the line of Gals
sons, and gradual settle down TO a stand,
long before which, nimble as cats, the can
noneerS have sprung from their seats, and are
stresElrS 1t across the sap TO where the chiefs
are seated on their excited chargers
WITH i SUDDEN SWIRL
Around sweep the guns with sudden swirl
that well nigh capszes them-tla three
youngsters on each timber seemingly hang
Ing on as though seated on sticking plasters-
there IS rattle and bang Of pintle hooks. !
hoarse shouts Of Drive on" TO tie gun |
teams; gray and white forms leap and sway |
h and out among the wheels: sponSes and |
hammers whlrl in air; there is a belch Of /
tame, smoke and thunder cloud, O believing |
roar; another, &1otAer-half arJlozen in quie,. !
succession; . thick sulPturous haze settles /
down the plain AID envelops the gunners !
and suddenly comes another blare of buEle /
lease firing Is the shout, and the mimic |
scene Of Buena Vista is over.
Even before the smoke has cleared away /
another order is given, with proup-, exciting
plunging horses, cracking vtips, Q
rtSh CT teams, lnbers and eaissons between
he black rluzz'es of the guns; sudden /
NA!rl about Of wheels and har3spikes, and
he next instant s-lohs and l1rne are belch-
ng In tsURGercla2s over the very ground
" mere stood tie waiting teams only mo
nent before. Then comes still another sig
AL, q slowing away of h.ads- -kss and ram
ners, rapid reinsbout Of the timber teams,
another blare and away they go, tee white
ess Of tie cannoneers flashing n Z race be-
!ds their bounding guns; a rush across tie
DAD TO the edge OF the grassy level beyond,
mother sudden wAirl ira BATTERY, : thunder
ng salute 70 the rocky Esights to the west.
II echolng rear fren the great columbia3s |
I'D PARROTS az the Sse.cosst" down by the
Hudson, and the Point fairly trembies with |
he shock and conclusion. There is 70 hour
4 the dsy 70 match the excitement and elan
4 that Of battery di-ill-Charles King, q. s.
\, in Harper's Magazine